Lightning-rod connecter



B. C. BURKETT LIGHTNING ROD CONNECTER x 4 April 26, 1927.

Filed June 1924 CII Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,626,180 PATENT OFFICE.

BYRON, C. BURKET'I, OF FREMONT, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BURKETT LIGHTNING ROD COMPANY, 0F FREMONT, OHIO, A CORPORATION.

LIGHTNING-ROD CONNECTER.

Application filed .Tune 4,

The present invention relates to a lightning rod connecter and has for its object to provide a device of this character which embodies novel features of construction, whereby the collector rod can be effectively connectcd to the conductor cable which extends across the Structure and has one or both ends thereof grounded.y

Further objects of the invention are to provide a lightning rod connecter which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, which can be easily and quickly applied to the conductor cable, which does not require any screws or other fastening elements for its installation, and which provides an efficient electrical connection for conveying the electric current from the collector member to the conductor cable.

W'ith the foregoing and other objects .in view the invention consists in certain combinations and arrangements of the parts as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings', in which,

Figure 1 is ak perspective view showing the manner of applying the invention to a building.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of theconnecter showing the manner of applying it to a. conductor cable, the lightning rod being broken away and shown in section.

- Figure 3 is an end view thereof. y

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 2; f' Y Figure`5 is a sectional view on the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a detail view of one of the blanks from which thel complemental sections of the connecter are formed, and

Figure 8 is a detail view of one of the hinge members which are used for connect-4 ing the complemental sections.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated Y on all of the view of the drawing by like reference characters. y

"The connecter is employed for connecting the lightning rod or other collector element to the conductor cable which is carried across 1924. Serial No. 717,699.

the building in suitable places and is grounded so that the electricity will be carried to the ground and injury to the building or other structure prevented. The connecter has an inverted Y-shaped -formation and comprises a pair of similar and interchangeable complemental sections 1 1, which are adapted to be stamped and shaped from sheet metal.` The blank A from which one ofthe sections is formed is shown by Figure 7 in the shape which it has when it is first stamped from a piece of flat sheet metal. After being stamped the blank A is shaped by bending the stem and arms thereof so that they have a concave formation and are substantially semicircular in cross section. Each of the sections 1 includes a stem 1a and a pair of diverging legs 1', the latter being shown as having a curved formation. Each of the diverging legs terminates in, a cable engaging foot 2, said foot members being arranged in alignment with each other and on an axis which is at an angle to the axis of the stem. The foot members 2 are bent transversely into substantially semicylindrical form so that they can be readily iitted upon the conductor cable 3.

One of the legs 1b of each of the complemental sections 1 is formed with an integral tongue 4, and in a similar way the outer end of one of the foot members 2 of each of the sections is formed with an integral `tongue 5. When two of the sections 1 are applied to each other with their concave faces in abutting relation, the tongues 4 can be bent around the respective legs of the connecter and the tongues 5 can be bent around the cable engaging .sleeves formed by the foot members 2, there being one tongue 4 for eacn of the diverging legs and one tongue 5 for each of the cable engaging sleeves.

The foot members 2 are shown as provided with openings 6 which are engaged by a link or hinge element 7. These connecting link members 7 originally have an inverted U- shaped formation, as shown by Figure 8, and after thek arms thereof are passed through the openings 6 of the feet 2 they are bent toward each other in the manner indicated by Figure 5. The two compleniental sections 1 are thus connectedy at their lower ends by a loose joint which acts in the manner of aliinge to admit of theysections being swung apart a suiicient amount to fit the cable engaging sleeves upon the cable. After this has been done the tongues i and 5 are wrapped around the direi-ging legs and cable receiving sleeves, respectively. rllhe lighting rod or collctor clement S is of tubular formation or has a tubular base which can be fitted over the stem l, thereby cooperating` with 'the fiezzible tongues and hinge elements to hold the complemental sections l securely in position. No screws, bolts or other separate fastening` elements are needed for this purpose, and the air terminals or collector members can be easilyT and quickly applied to the conductor cable without the use of any special tools or equipment.

rlie feet 2 are extended laterally beyond the diverging legs l" and provide elongated cable receiving` sleeves which have an extended contact or engagement with the cable so that a splendid electrical connection is established therewith. rThe stem l.a and diverging legs 1b of each section are substantially semi-circular in cross section, so that when the two sections are assembled the differentparts of the connecter are tubular in formation, thereby imparting strength to the connecter and giving it a uniform and symmetrical design. The connecter has a two point attachment to the cable and the diverging legs at the base thereof` avoid sharp angular connection between the air terminal or collector member and the cable. It has been found that the electricity does not pass as readily through a sharp angularI connection as around a curved or inclined connection and the diverging legs of the present device provide an easy path for the electricity to travel, so that. the electricity7 will be carried to the ground with a minimum amount of resistance. Furthermore the diverging legs provide a mechanicalli.V strong connection between the air terminals and the cable, since they act as braces te prevent swaying of the air terminals, and the tubular formation of the upright stein and diverging legs of the connecter when it is finally assembled give the various parts thereof an inherent strength which will enable them to resist heavy strains. The diverging legs lb are shown as having a curvature, although the degree of curvature is not thought to be material, and the legs may be made straight if such is preferred.

In Figure l the invention is shown as applied to a building B. The conductor cable 3, which may be of any suitable construction. extends along the ridge of the building, and has one end thereof grounded at G, and the other end at- H. A series of connecters are shown as applied thereto at intervals, said connecters being indicated at C, and the collector elements or air terminals being indicated by the numeral 8. It will be obvious thatthe connecters can be readily7 applied to -the cable at any desired point and as many of the air terminals or collector elements used as may be thought necessary for the protection of the building.

lllhile one particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that many modifications andl changes canbe made in the details of con-- struction without departing from the spirit of the invention. I

Referring to 7, oneof the feet 2 of each of the connecter sections l may havea prong 9 stamped therefrom, .and when the two sections l, l are assembled each of the cablereceiving sleeves will be provided with a sharp prong 9 which will penetrate the cable and assist in fastening the connecter thereto. 4

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is, y,

l. In lightning ro'd apparatus of the class described, the combination with a conductor and a collector, of a connecter device comprising complemental substantially Y- shaped tubular sections Vhaving tubular conductor and collector engaging ends.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a connecter device for lightning rod structures comprising a pair of corresponding sheet metal complemental tubular sect-ions composed of a stem engageable by the collector and spaced tubular legs extending from said stem and terminating in conductor einbracing clamping feet. A y

S. in lightning rod apparatus of the class described, the combination with a conductor and a collector having a sleeve at its lower end, of a connecter device comprising complemental tubular sections forming at one end a stem receiving the collector' sleeve and dixf'erging y legs extending from said stem and terminating in tubular conductor embracing feet, said sections having connecting means for holding` them in tubular forn'iation.

Ll. As a new article of manufacture, a connecter device for lightning ro'd structures comprising a pair of corresponding sheet metal complemental tubular sections composed of a stem engageable by a collector and spaced tubular legs having tubular conductor embracing terminals, and hinging connections for the sections permitting the sections to be readily opened and closed with relation to each other.

As a new articleof manufacture, a con necter device for lightning rod structures comprising a pair of corresponding sheet metal complemental tubular sections composed of a stem engageable by the collector and spaced tubular legs ha ing tubular conductor embracing terminals, hinginq` connections for the sections permitting the sections to be readily opened and closed with ibo relation to each other, and fastening ele ments carried hy the respective sections and engageable about the same when arranged. in close relation to hold the device in its tubular formation.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a con* necter device for lightning rod structures eomprisin oomplemental substantially Y- shaped tu ular sections providing a collector receiving stem at one end :1nd conductor re-y oeivng feet at its other end, said device having a conductor penetrating element forniing a part of one of the feet for positively enga 'ng the conductor when in operative l position thereon.`

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

BYRON C. BURKETT. 

